Story perspectives

Missing Submarine's Data Enhances Ice Shelf Research

12/26/2025

Center

Professor Wåhlin's Discovery

Ran, an unmanned submarine led by Professor Anna Wåhlin of the University of Gothenburg, disappeared during a 2022 Dotson Ice Shelf mission after 14 dives.
Ran's missions revealed under-ice structures, including terraces and pits formed by melting.
Searches found no trace after attempts to contact Ran failed.
Nevertheless, the data improved understanding of how ocean currents erode ice shelves, aiding predictions of sea level rise.

Left

Researchers Uncover Seafloor Impact

The study shows seafloor topography significantly influences warm water mixing beneath Dotson Ice Shelf.
Researchers from Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and the British Antarctic Survey used an autonomous underwater vehicle to measure warm water flow.
The result indicates climate models underestimated the influence of seafloor topography on heat transfer.
The work provides data for predicting sea-level rise and underscores the need for improved climate monitoring and infrastructure.

History

Historical Context

In 2012, the urgency to study Antarctic ice shelves intensified as climate change threatened global sea levels. The British Antarctic Survey warned that ice loss could raise sea levels by up to 1.2 meters by 2100. Current research, including the autonomous submarine Ran's mission, underscores the importance of seafloor topography in understanding warm water interactions beneath these ice shelves.

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Professor Wåhlin's Discovery

Ran, an unmanned submarine led by Professor Anna Wåhlin of the University of Gothenburg, disappeared during a 2022 Dotson Ice Shelf mission after 14 dives.
Ran's missions revealed under-ice structures, including terraces and pits formed by melting.
Searches found no trace after attempts to contact Ran failed.
Nevertheless, the data improved understanding of how ocean currents erode ice shelves, aiding predictions of sea level rise.

1 / 3